Improvement in fire-alarm-telegraph instruments



' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 G. H. PONDV Fire-Alarm Telegraph Instrument. No. 213,065. Patented. M ar.l11,v1879.

n m F1 l l n l Q "i .Finn il MFETERS, PHOTD-LITHDGRAFHER. WASHINGTON, D` C. l

2 sheets-*sheet 2f Patented'Mar'. 11,\1879..

GQH. POND.' Pire-Alarm Telegraph Instrument. No. 213,965;

N. PETERS, FHOTD-UTHUGRAPHER. WASHXNGTONV D. C

UNTTED STATES PATENT G1-mien i CHESTER H. POND, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN FIRE-ALARM-TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 213,065, dated March 11, 1879 g application filed February 12, 1879.

l'o all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, GHEsTER H. POND, of New York, in the county ofNew York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Alarm-Telegraph Instruments; and I do hereby decla-re that the followin gis Va full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to wh ich it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention is more especially designed to be applied to fire-alarm telegraphs, although it is adapted for use in other telegraphic circuits whose automatic signal-boxes are employed to transmit determinate signals.

It relates to signal-boxes which are so constructed and connected in a normally-closed circuit that the starting of one box will instantly so affect all the other boxes in the same circuit that not one of these can be started to send signals until the box rst started has ceased transmitting. This feature practically precludes the transmission of interfering signals by several boxes, becauseit is practically impossible to start several boxes at one and the same time.

One object ot' my invention is to make all the parts of the automatic mechanism of a signal-box interchangeable with similar parts of any other like signal-box. To this end I provide segments of an arc or their equivalents of such a character (hereinafter set forth in detail) that each one will t and operate in one signal-box as well as in another, and that isochronous clock-works or motors can be used for the different boxes.

Another object of my invention is to provide for throwing all the signal-boxes ot' a circuit out of gear by the starting of one of them. This I accomplish by the use of a gravitating trigger, which is in position to start the signalbox as long as the circuit remains closed, but falls out of position the instant the circuit is broken by the starting of a box.

My invention also consists of certain hereinafter specifically described structural improvements, and in the provision of means in the form of a resistance-coil for testing any one box in a circuit without disturbing any other one in the circuit and without sending an alarm.

In the annexed drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of my improved signal-box. Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly in section. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on a somewhat larger scale. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are detail views of some of the parts of the box; and Fig. 7 illustrates the resistance-coil and mode of applying the same.

The same letters of reference are used in all the figures in designation of identical parts.

The clock-work or spring-motor terminates in a pendulum, Af, and drives a small pinion, B, fixed on a siijaft, which is at one end journaled in a gravitating arm, C. Pinion B is adaptedmto, drive a spunwheel, l), on the hub of which is xed the circuit-segment E, and to which one end of a coiled spring, d, is secured, the other end of said spring being fastened on the frame-work orzpartition of the box. The circuit-segment is eectrically connected with one end of the line-wire, which enters the box at the binding-post The other end of the line-wire enters the box at the binding-posty, and is electrically connected with the circuit-breaker HF, which is pivoted on an insulated block, f', in contact with a metal plate thereon. The segmentin place of which a straight toothed bar may be used, if desired-has three groups of teeth, c, cut on a portion of its periphery,.to enable it to send the same signal three times in regular succession.

In the normal position of the parts the forward end of the circuit-breaker rests on the blank c1 of the segment, which blank has a slight projection, e2, just hi gh enough to catch against the circuit-breaker in case the segment is retracted by the recoil of a spring, d, and the circuit-breaker is still resting on the blank cl. The circuit-breaker is rounded on its extreme end, and'has also a little projectiomj, on its outer edge, as best seen in Fig. 2. On thel spindle which supports the segment and its spur-wheel D is also supported a loose trigger, G, located between pins g and g' on the face of the circuit-wheel. The pin g holds the trigger directly opposite the projection f on the circuit-breaker when the box is in its normal condition, and so that'a spring-pin, G1, can push on the trigger to turn the circuitbreaker on its pivot until it escapes laterally from the segment. A non-conducting strip is fixed on the trigger, where it touches the circuit-breaker.

The springpin G1 may be pushed in by a button, G3, on the exterior ofthe box through,

the medium of a spring-bar, G2, as shown; or other means may be provided for that purpose.

Vhile the circuit-breaker is on the segment the pinion B of the spring-motor remains in mesh with spur-wheel D, but the moment the circuit-breaker escapes laterally from the segment, which breaks the electric circuit, the arm C is lifted and pinion B thrown out of gear by the lifter-bar H, which is pivoted to the armature I1 ot' an electro-magnet, I, interposed between the binding -post a' and the segment. rIlhus released, the wheel D and segment E are turned rapidly backward by the recoil of spring d until a non-conducting block, E', on the segment strikes the lifter-bar and pushes ,/"from under the arm C, so that pinion B gain falls into mesh with wheel D. By the same movement an incline on block E acts on circuit-breaker F, and turns it laterally over the segment, the trigger havin g fallen by gravitation or been turned down by the pin g.

In the normal position of the parts a pin, k, on the segment is under a lip, hl, on an arm, K', holding said arm elevated above its supporting-pin k2. This arm is rigidly connected with the brake K, an d when thus elevated throws the pad ofsaid brake un der an d against the pendulum A, stopping the clock-work or motor.

The arm K reaches past lifter-bar H, and has a pin, k3, adapted t0 be acted on by a shoulder, h, on said lifter-bar. Segment E has another pin, hl, which acts on a projection, h2, on the lifter-bar to hold it under the forward end of arm C in the normal position of the parts. When so held the shoulder 7L of the lifter-bar His directly under pin k, so that in case the bar is elevated by the flying back of armature I while the circuit-breaker remains on the segment and holds it locked, although released from the action of pinion B, the arm K will be lifted with it, and apply the brake to prevent the running of the clock-work.

The circuit-breaker rests normally on blank el some little distance in advance of projection e2, so that on the release of wheel D from pinion B the spring d may turn said wheel D and the segment a little distance before the projection c2 strikes the circuit-breaker, which stops further movement if the circuit-breaker has not been turned off the segment. ln this motion the gravitating trigger follows pin g, and escapes from behind spring-pin G1, so that it cannot be acted on by said spring-pin, and consequently the circuit breaker cannot be {Dnoved oftl the segment from the exterior of the To prevent lifter-bar H from turning so as to fall back from under arm C while thus released temporarily from the pin h1 of the segi ment, I provide a' spring, H', past which its upper end moves, and which maintains it in either position against displacement by gravitation or accident.

When the armature is again attracted and the lifter-bar drawn down, the brake is thrown offfor a moment until the segment is turned forward by the pinion B to its normal condition, when piu L again lifts and applies the brake.

A switch is placed between the bindingposts x and y, by which the box may be cut out. Each box is also provided with a signaling-key.

From the foregoin g description the operation of the box will be readily understood; but it may be as well to summarize it.

The normal position of the box is shown in Fig. l, the trigger G being directly between the projection f on the circuit -breaker and thespring-pinG., (Not seen there:) On pressing the spring-pin G against trigger G the circuit-breaker is turned laterally oi' the segment. As soon as it escapes the circuit is broken, armature l flies up, bar H lifts -arm C, releasing wheel D from pinion B, when spring d recoils, moving wheel D and segment E until block E on the latter strikes bar H, and is stopped thereby after it has turned it back from under arm C to allow pinion B to fall into mesh with wheel D. Block Il at the same time has turned the circuit-breaker again over the segment, and the pendulum ofthe clock-work has been released from the breaker. The clock-work at once starts and turns the segment, the teeth of which open and close the circuit automatically, and the signal is thus sent.

As blank c1 of the segment passes under the bent end of the circuit-breaker the circuit is established, so that armature I and lifter-bar H are brought and held down, enabling pin h1 on the segment to turn bar H under arm G without lifting it. Pin g at the same time lifts or turns trigger G into position between the projection f on the circuit-breaker and the spring-pin G1, and finally pin k applies the brake, stopping movement of the clock-work and segment.

It will be observed that the instant the circuit is broken by starting one box the armature of all the other boxes will ily'back, raising the lifter-bar and releasing the wheels D from the pinions B, and that the segment thereof will turn backward a little distance, throwing the triggers G out of position, so that they cannot be operated upon by spring-pins G, and that consequently none of the boxes can be started until the one rst started has sent its signals complete, when, by the permanent closing of the circuit, all the boxes are returned to the normal condition.

The use of a segment which moves just so far as is necessary to send its signals enables me to make all such segments of the same diameter, varying only the throw or oscillation thereof by the relative positions of the blank el and the block E according to the number of teeth required for the signals it is intended to transmit. The teeth are also cut to make the corresponding intervals of di'erent segments exactly alike, so that isochronous clock-works can be used for all the different boxes of all circuits where my improved box may be used.

From the foregoing it is plain that any part of a box of this construction may be interchanged with a similar part of any other such box.

The armature I is provided with a hammer, L', adapted to strike a gong or bell, L. To practically test any box in a circuit without sending in an alarm, I provide a resistancecoil, M, the ends of which can be secured to the binding-posts x and y, respectively. The resistance of this coil exceeds that of the electro-magnet I, so' that the current will continue to ilow through the magnet as long as the circuit remains unbroken in the box; but when the circuit is broken in the box by starting it the current will flow through the resistancecoil, so that the main-line circuit will remain unbroken.

In testing a box the resistance-coil is first applied as stated. The box being then started in the ordinary way, the circuit-wheel will make momentary connections to cause the circuit to change direction from the resistancecoil to the electro-magnet, which will attract its armature, causing hammer Ll to strike gong L. If the box is in proper order the proper signal will be given by gong L.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, substantially as specified, of the oscillating segmental circuit-wheel, the clock-work for driving it to automatically turn in a determinate signal, and the spring or its equivalent, which acts on the circuitwheel in opposition to the clock-work, and expends its recoil on starting the box before the clock-work comes into play.

2. The combination, substantially as specitied, of the oscillating segment, the laterallyescaping circuit-breaker, and the block for automatically turning the circuit-breaker back into alignment with the segment.

3. The combination, substantially as specified, of the segment, the spring for throwing or turning it back, the circuit-breaker, the clock-work, and the intermediate gearing for throwing the clock-work and segment in and out of gear.

4. The combination, substantially as specified, of the segment, the circuit-breaker, and the trigger for moving the circuit-breaker laterally.

5. The combination, substantially as specified, of the electro-magnet, its armature, the lifter-bar, the arm C, carrying the pinion B, the segment, and its driving-wheel, the spring d, the circuit-breaker, and the clock-work.

, G. The combination, substantially as specifled, of the segment, the brake, and the clockwork.

7. The combination, substantially as specified, of the segment, block Ef thereon, and the lifter-bar. l

S. The combination, substantially as specied, of the segment, having projection e2 onl blank el, with the circuit-breaker and the trigger.

9. The combination, substantially as speciied,of the electro-magnet,the armature thereof, the lifter-bar,'the brake, and the clockwork.

10. The resistance-coil for testing electrical signalboxes arranged in a shunt circuit around the box apparatus, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHESTER H. POND.

Witnesses:

IA. B. HINMAN, H. D. WrNsOR. 

